Song Of Deborah And Az Yashir

Music can affect us in a variety of ways, one of the most common being inspiring us. Biblical songs were mostly made to praise G-d, however, some also inspire us to understand the capabilities of the Jewish people. The songs, “Song of Deborah”, and “Az Yashir”, tell the tales of the Jewish people overcoming a powerful foe through the assistance of G-d and individual representations of bravery. These songs inspire us to act and do what we believe is the righteous and important.
The “Song of Deborah” is a 31 line song that both praises Hashem and tells the story of the Jews defeating Sisera. The song was sang by Deborah, the Jewish leader and prophet, and her husband Barak (who was also the general of the army). The song praises G-d by saying how mighty he is and what he is capable of doing, this is done through what at a glance are hyperbolic praises. These statements are not as over the top as they appear, they are accounts of things that G-d has been known to do, such as make the earth tremble and make the clouds of heaven rain. The song then mentions how various tribes assisted the Jews in their fight against the Kings of Canaan, and how G-d helped them defeat this

The song is sang directly after the Egyptians were drowned in the sea, after the Jews had passed through unharmed. The song begins by praising G-d and thanking him for defeating their mighty foe, it then goes on to describe how the Egyptian chariots were drowned. It says that Hashem threw them into the sea and they sank to the bottom, while the Jews peacefully escaped. The song then describes the Egyptians feeling of invulnerability and how G-d proved them wrong by destroying them, it also again praises Hashem and his might. The song concludes by mentioning the Miriam and the women danced and praised Hashem for this